The Sweeney: Stoppo Driver (ITV 6 Mar 1975, with Nicola Pagett)

In Stoppo Driver Regan’s new driver, Cooney, proves to be rather too good. Having brought down the getaway driver of a gang who are planning an even bigger job. They now need a new driver and decide that Cooney is just the man. They kidnap his wife Marie (the pair are literally heading off on their honeymoon) and force him to act as getaway driver.

Regan and Carter are first on the scene and know who the gang responsible are but have no proof, they also have no idea Cooney is involved. He is supposed to be on his honeymoon after all. However he leaves a met issue pen in the get away car and George finds a bank receipt for £10,000 that falls out of Cooney’s jacket pocket. Convinced he is “bent” Regan sets up a job hoping Cooney will take it to the gang. Cooney however has his own agenda and it involves payback for what the gang did to his wife.

The episode opens with a classic Sweeney car chase and keeps up a brisk pace throughout. Almost every face is a familiar one, Paul Angelis and Nicola Pagett are brother and sister gang members along with Crossroads legend Paul Henry. Meanwhile real life brothers Wolfe and Aubrey Morris also appear. Wolfe is the father of Pagett and Angelis’s Sara and Barney and Aubrey plays a very wealthy poker player who gets turned over by the gang.

classic quote
“Who taught you to drive, Evil Knieval!”

Paul Henry and Paul Angelis as Morris and Barney. 

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 6 March 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: Allan Prior / Director: Terry Green

Series: The Sweeney Season 1 Episode 10

cast
John Thaw as Regan
Dennis Waterman as Carter
Garfield Morgan as Haskins
Nicola Pagett as Sara
Billy Murray as Cooney
Wolfe Morris as Greg
Aubrey Morris as Card Morris
Paul Angelis as Barney
Paul Henry as Morris
Carrie Lee-Baker as Marie
Hugh Futcher as Porter